We believe God created, the heavens, the earth, and all the creatures that dwell upon it.
God creates new beginnings.
We believe that God is never far away. God is ever-present, ever-vigilant and has been active in our lives throughout history.
We believe God is merciful and forgiving. God came to us in the person of Jesus to be a light for those trapped in darkness, and to preach Good News to those longing for
understanding and relief.
We believe God promises good. God promised us a savior, and when his saving act was to die for our sakes, having promised that we would never be alone, God raised Jesus up from death.
We believe God’s pursuit of the human heart and soul is persistent, for the Holy Spirit seeks us out to embrace us with the message of forgiveness, hope, peace, joy, and love.
We believe that as the church, Christ’s body in the world, we are called to wear and carry the Spirit’s message out into the world.
A new beginning is today. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, as we enter the season of Advent, which marks the new year of the church, guide us through each new beginning, both as individuals and as members of this community of faith. For those joining the body today, this may be a new beginning. Nevertheless, let us learn from their experience. Fill each one of us with Advent Hope, remembering that you are the God of promises fulfilled. Let us not be nervous-nellies thinking about the future. Let us be bold in our confidence, and unwavering in our trust, believing that you have already provided for our needs. We are your people looking forward to continued growth, in our leadership skills, our outreach ministries and our personal spirituality. We shall live in Hope daily offering our prayers of thanks and praise in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
The origin of the word Hope is unclear. The Etymology dictionary even suggests that hope might be born of hop. The Old English hopian means to have the theological virtue of Hope; to have trust and confidence that something is or will be so. The difference between hope and hop in Old English is a single letter. The word hoppian means to spring to leap, to dance. I don’t think it too farfetched for Christians to spring, leap or dance into hopefulness. In this Advent season, cultivate the theological virtue of hope. Make that proverbial leap of faith, and put your whole trust and confidence in God, who makes all things new.
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